Apparatus for separation



Jan- 24, 1933- lF. A. QUIROZ 1,895,104

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATION Jan. 24, 1933. F. A, QUIROZ 1,895,104

APPARATUS FOR SPARATION Filed May 29, 1929 2 sheets-sheet 2 l 9'9 INVENTOR u f- 93 da/adn B Y gg 8.9

Y /awyfwm D n ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 24, 1933 PATENT OFFIC FRANCISCO A. QUIROZ, F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK APPARATUS SEPARATION Application led May 29,

This invention relates to a method and vapparatus for separating, for example, a.y

solid constituent from a liquid in which particles thereof are suspended.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a simple and thoroughly practical method for rapidly and efficiently separating solid particles suspended in a liquid and to provide, moreover` a method of the above o mentioned character Which may be carried on in practice in a simple, efficient and reliable manner. Another object is to provide a method of the above mentioned character for achieving high efficiency of separation and for removing solid matter from a liquid With constant uniformity. Another object is to provid-e a separating apparatus that will be of simple and thoroughly prac-tical construe tion. thoroughly dependable action in practical use, and capable of effecting separation of solid matter from aliquid with a high degree of efliciency. uniformity and speed. Another object is to provide a separating v apparatus of rugged andinexpensive con- 2" struction and Well adapt-ed to meet the varying' conditions of hard practical use. An-

other object is to provide a separating ap-A paratus with means for dependably and eiciently removing therefrom the separated 0 constituents and particularly'for removing the solid matter or particles with a minimum of or no admixturey of liquid. Another object is to provide an apparatus for separating a liquid from suspended solid matter or particles by the action of centrifugal force in which the mixture of solid matter and liquid may be supplied to the apparatus Without disturbance of the action of the apparatus and Y While maintaining continuity and uniform-V 40 it;7 of separation. Another object is to provide a separating apparatus of the above mentioned character in Whiclrthe removal of one of the constituents is automatically controlled by the constituent to be removed. Another obiect is toV provide a separa-ting apl. paratus of the above mentioned character in which centrifugal forces may be dependably and reliably utilized not only for effecting a separation of the mixture into its con- 5 stituents, but also for dependably and uni- 1929. serial No. 366,841.

formly controlling the extent or rate of removal from the appara-tus of a separated constituent in accordance with a predeterminable degree of isolation of the constituent from the mixture. Other objects Will be in part. obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements. arrangements of parts and in the several steps and relation and order of each of the same to one or more of the others as Will be illustratively described herein.Y and the scope of lthe application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which are illustrated several of various possible embodiments of the mechanical features of my invention;

Figure 1 is in part a. side elevation and in part a longitudinal cross sectionof separating apparatus embodying the fea-tures of my invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the zip-- for discharging a solid constituent from the` separator and illustrating the receptacle in which the valve is seated.

Similar reference characters refer to similar views throughout the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figure 1, there is shown a base 10 and supported at one end thereof a separator housing indicated generally by the numeral 11. The` base supports at its other end any suitable driving means, as, forinstance, the motor 12. The motor shaft 13 is connected by means of a coupling 14 v ith the separator shaft 15, which is rotatably supported by the bearings generally indicated by the numerals 16 and 17. Bearing 16 comprises a housing 16A, a ball bearing unit 18 'and *a cover member 19, the latter being secured to the member 16A by means of bolts 20. l

Bearing member 18 is in contact upon onel `at 28- to receive the ball bearing unit 29 in which the shaft is supported. A nut 30,

ment.

threaded upon the shaft 15 as at 31,holds the bearing member 29 against the shoulder 32, provided on the shaft 15. Thus the bearings and shaft are held against endwise move- The bearing casing 17, which is provided with a cover 33 held on by bolts 34, provides a chamber 35 in which are disposed gearing elements to be hereinafter described, and which may be acked with a suitable lubricant in the usua manner, said lubricant being prevented from creeping along the shaft by means of the'packing rings 36 and 37.

` The housing 11 comprises a rear wall 38,'

a peripheral wall 39, a cover 40, which is pivotally supported upon a bracket 41 (see Figure 2), which is also pivotally mounted in relation to the housing 11 and provides with the lugs 42, and pin 43, a hinged connection for said cover. Means are provided as at 44 for clamping the cover tightly against the -front edge 45 of the housing 11. The shaft 15 extendspart way into the housing 11, as shown at 46, through a bearing 47 of relatively large diameter, which is provided in the wall 38 of the housing 11. This bearing supports the hub 48 of a spur gear 49, which ris held against relative endwise movement by means of set bolts 50 engaging an annular channel 51 formed in said hub. Means for lubricating this bearing is shown at 52.

Mounted upon the extension 46 of shaft l5 is a separating vessel 53, which is provided with an elongated hub 54 of larger bore than the said shaft and which is united to the shaft for rotation therewith by means of stud members 55. These studs are threaded into.`

the hub of the vessel and are provided with inwardly extending pins having a somewhat loose driving fit in said shaft, thus providing a universal driving connection which permits the vessel to assume a certain oscillatory movement relative the shaft. Interposed between the shaft and the hub 54 is a rubber sleeve 56 which restricts or limits the freedom of oscillatory movement of said ves` sel. The function'of the said universal joint driving connection and the rubber sleeve will be more fully described hereinafter. f

A plate 57 bolted upon the inner end of the hub 54 protects the sleeve and driving connection generally from contact with the liquid mixture introduced into the vessel for' separation. Secured to the face of the gear 49 is a drum 58, which is adapted to rotate with said gear within the housing 11 and about the vessel 53. Slight `clearance is allowed, as shown at 59, between the hub of the'vessel 53 and the hub of the gear 49, in order that the vessel may have limited lateral movement within said gear. The separating vessel 53 is intended to rotate at a rapid rate Ihis transmission mechanism is all en A closed within the chamber 35 of the gear box 17, which has already been described.

The separating vessel 53 comprises a cylin` drical portion 67, secured integrally upon the hub 54 and extending toward the cover end of the housing. About midway of the housing, the peripheral wall of thesaid vessel continues to the right in the form of a cone whose ta ering walls terminate substantially in or slig tly beyond the plane of the peripheral edge 45 of the housing. This conical section is shown at 68, and at 69 is indicated a large circular discharge opening formed at the outer end of said conical section. Upon its interior, the walls of this discharge opening taper inwardly to form an annular inwardly extending ridge, or lip, as indicated v A plurality of baiiles 71 radially arranged and extending inwardly from the peripheral wall of the vessel, divide the separating space therein into a plurality of pockets 72, as best shown in Figure 2. An annular partition wall 73, having a large central opening 74,

divides the interior of the cylindrical portion of the vessel from the interior of the conical portion of the vessel, thus dividing the interior of the vessel into chambers A and B. Adjacent the wall of the vessel this partition is supplied with apertures 75, which provide communication between the chambers A and B. It is to be noted here that the diameter of the central opening 74 formed in the partition 73 is -less than the effective diamefer of the discharge opening at 70. hThis serves a purpose to be later described.

, Rigidly secured to said partition 73, as by means of the bolts 76, is a liquid distributing cone 77, the inner edge of which is spaced avslight distance from the left hand wall of the separating vessel. The smaller end of the cone, as indicated at 78, extends outwardi opening.

ly toward the discharge opening of the vessel where the. walls are inturned to tit closely about a liquid supply conduit 79, supported in awall 8O of the cover 40. The cone 77 and conduit 79 arey both positioned in axial alignmeut with the drive shaft l5, so that the cone rotates about the inner end of the conduit 79 in close fitting relation thereto.

A funnel 8l is carried upon the outer end of conduit 79 in a position to receive the liquid to be separated. The cover provides also an inner wall 82, of annular form fitting closely about the discharge end of the receptacle 53, sufficient space being allowed between the inner edge of the annular wall and the free surface of the receptacle to permit of the rotation of said vessel within the cover Between the walls 80 and S2 ka liquid discharge chamber is formed, which is provided with an outlet pipe 84. The bottom of the housing l1 is open, as is also the wall of the base 10 upon which it is seated.

The lower portion of the drum 58 extends downwardly into the base, as shown in the drawings, in a position to discharge the solid constituent separated out of the mixture into any suitable receptacle or conveyance.

A plurality of spaced openings 85 are provided in the cylindrical wall 67 of the separating vessel, and in these openings and extending outwardly therefrom are a plurality of valve seat members 86 'walls of the vessel, in any desired manner.

secured within the As shown, the upper part of a receptacle is provided with a tapered flange 8 7, which fits the opening 85, the receptacle being held in place by a set screw 88 (see Figure l).

Referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that the receptacle 86 furnishes a tapered bore 89,within which is seated a fixed tube 91 having apertures 92 adapted to be closed by a sliding sleeve valve member 93, which is itself carried at the lower end of a valve stem 94. At the upper end of the stem a shoulder 95 is provided, upon which is supported a float member 96. This member is secured to the stem by means of a nut 97, in threaded engagement therewith; and between the nut and the upper surface of the ioata variable number of weights, in the forni of disks, may be interposed, as indicated at 98. By chang ing the number of disks, the buoyancy of the float which controlsthe operation of the valve 93 may be changed to meet varying conditions of separation.

As some leakage may take place from the` interior ofthe receptacle 86 into the interior of the tube 91, the sleeve valve 98 is provided with apertures 99, by means of which any liquid collecting in said tube will be dis- I charged through the valve seat opening 100.

Supported upon the base l0, as at 101, is a scraper 102, which extends into and is po- I sitioned closely adjacent the interior of the peripheral wall of the drum 58. This scraper removes solid particles of the separated constituent of the mixture which have been discharged through the valves 90 upon the interior surface of the drum.

The apparatus operates in the following 'manner I charge chamber B of the vessel through the lip or discharge edge 70.

As they portion of the mixture near the periphery of the vessel becomes progressively more dense, a point will be reached when the liquid overflowing at will be substantially free from solid matter. The fioat valve is so designed and the weights thereon so adjusted that it has not sutlicient buoyancy to overcome the centrifugal action thereon, tending to hold the valve in closed position. However, when the process of separation has been continued long enoughfor the concentrationof solid particles to cause an accumulation thereof to a height covering, or partially covering, the communicating openings 7 5, the level kof the mixture within the chamber A will rise above the level within the chamber B, and if this action were to continue, would overiiow into the chamber B through the central opening 74 in partition 73. But the buoyancy of the iioat valve is nicely adjusted so that when the rising level within the chamber A has reached a predetermined point, the valve will be lifted so that the solid particles may be discharged from the members 86 through the openings 92 and 100. A partial discharge of these particles reduces the level of the solid material. partially' freeing the 'opening 75 to the passage of liquid from one chamber to another, and rermitting the valve to close. By properly adjusting the weights upon the valve, having in view the density of the mixture to be separated. substantially continuous discharge of solid material may be had, and substantially uniform and continuous Cemiration may be had.

While the float valve may also be influenced in its action by the increasing density of the mixture. as separation progresses, and this increasing density maybe a factor in detcrminng the opening and closingl of the valve, the rise in level in the chamber A, due to the concentration of the solid constituent 'and the consequent blocking of the passages T5, provides a controllable means for promoting the sure operation and. nice regulation of the valve. The solid particles discharged openings 75. where it rises to the level `of the from the various valveslare thrown against rthe'in'terior of the druni 38, which rotating 'i slowlnbrings these solids yinto contact with ,n wiii the rigidly mounted scraper Q. which removes and deposits themthrough the open 'base l0 into anjsuitable receptacle or conveyor. f n

be understood that.- as the separating vessel rotates at a high rate of speed, the

openingr and closing of the peripherally disposed valves. which. may not lact entirely I simultaneously niayjcause, in therotation of said vessel, an unbalanced centrifugal effect. vere the vessel rigidly mounted for rotation. strains would beset up by this state ,of uiilialance.4 resulting possibly in serious consequences. This possibility is, however, removed by the particular ,driving connection hereiiibefore described which exists between theseparating vessel is permitted to find its* the shaft and the separati-ng vessel. wherebyv own axis ofrotation. thus eliminating all undue st'rainrvand wear upon the apparatus.

lt will be. ,se'en `a.lso that by furnishinga hingeddoor 'foi-thefhousing 39, the interior of the a'pparatu's` becomes` accessible for cleaning, adjustmentor repairs.

It vis evident, therefore. that there has been provided in this'inventioii a method and apparatus for effecting rapidly and with a hirrli degree of etlicien'cy the separation of a mixture of solid particles and a liquid into its respective Constituents. It will be'further not-l ed that thlrl'iparatus is of thoroughly practicaljconstruction.' iii action. compact and of highly'dependable and efficient' action inpractical use. It will also be seen that the ymethod kmay be readily carried on in practice'and.achieves highly effi-A cient results. Moreover, it is to be noted that the vai-ving conditions ofprac'tical use may be readilymadeI AsV man v possible embodiments ma made of the mechanical features ot the a ove invention. andas the art herein described might be 'varied invarious parts. all Without depart-ing from the scope of the invent-ion, it

' is to' be understood that all matter hereinabove set forth, or shown in the accompanying draWrgs is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in' a limiting sense.

Having now `particularly described and ascertained the nature `of my invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare thatwhat I claim is:

1. In apparatus of the character described,

in combination, a drive shaft, a separating vessel mounted thereon, a universal drive connection between said shaft and said vessel, and an elastic sleeveinterposed between said shaft and said` vessel to limit the free opy eration of said universal connection.

2. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a v,drum-like member rotatable about a fixed axis at a -slow rate, a sepais simple and rise in said level to open said valve.

vessel arranged substantially concentrically Within said drum and supported in spaced Vrelation to both saidY shaft and said drum journal, a driving connection between said shaft and said vessel to mei-mit oscillation v of the latter about the axisiof said shaft, and

means interposed between said shaft and said vessel for limiting the extent of such oscillation. f

4. In apparatus ofthe character described, in combination, a rigid housing, a drum journalled in a wall of said housingr and rotatable Within said housing, a drive shaft y concentrically supported within said drum journal and radially spaced therefrom', a separating vessel arrangedl substantially concentrically vwithin said drum and supported in spaced relation to both szidshaft and said drum journal, a driving connection between .said shaft and said vessel adapted to permit oscillation of the latter about the axis of said shaft, means interposed between said shaft and said vessel for limiting the extent of such oscillation, a gear mounted on said d rum journal, and driving means connecting said gear with said shaft.

5. In apparatus ofthe character described, in combination, a rotatably mounted vessel for separating a solid lconstituent `from a. liquid mixture, means for determining a minimum radial liquid level therein, a valve for discharging said solid constituent, which lvalve is held in closed position While said yminimum level is maintained, means for permitting a rise in liquid level when a predetermined amount of said constituent has been separated from the mixture, and a float member rendered operative by a predetermined 6. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rotatably mounted vessel for separating a .solid constituent from a liquid mixture, means for determining a minc inum radial liquid level therein, a valve for discharging said solid constituent, which valve is held in closed position by centrifugal action while said minimum level is maintained, means for permitting a rise in liquid level when a predetermined amount of said constituent has been separated from the mixture, and a float member rendered operative by a predetermined rise in said level toppen ksaid valve.

7.. In apparatus of the character described,

in combination, a rotatably mounted vessell stituent about each of said valves, means for permitting a rise in said liquid level .when a predetermined degree of concentration has been reached, and a ioat member associated with each of said valves, each float member being actuated to open its respective valve upon said liquid rising to a predetermined level.

8. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rotatably mounted chamber for separating a solid constituent from a liquid. mixture, collection chambers for said constituent arranged radially about said vessel, valves for discharging said constituent from said chambers, said valves having the tendency to remain closedv through lcentrifugal action, means providing for discharge of liquid from said vessel at a certain radial liquid level therein, means associated therewith for causing a rise of liquid level when the collection of said constituent has reached a, predetermined point, and means adapted to open said valves when saidrise reachespredetermined proportions,said means including a member buoyed by the liquid mixture.

9. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rotatably mounted vessel for separating a solid constituent from a liquid mixture, means dividing said vessel,

into a separating chamber and a liquid discharge chamber, means fixing a radial discliargelevel in said discharge chamber/,means fixing a radial overflow level from said separating chamber, said'over'tlow level being higher'than said discharge level, means providing communication between said chambers at a point radially below both of said levels, and a float control valve buoyed by the liquid and adapted to permit discharge ot' said solid constituent from said separating chamber, when the level of said constituent stands in a predetermined relation to said communieating means.

10. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rotatably mounted vessel for separating a solid constituent from a liquid mixture, means dividing saidhvessel into a separating chamber and a liquid discharge chamber, means lixing a radial discharge level in said discharge chambeig'means lixing a radial overfiow level from said s eparating chamber, said overflow level being higher than said discharge level, means providing communication between said cham ers at a point radially below both of said levels, and a plurality oi' float control valves adapted to permit the discharge of said solid constituent from said separating chamber, when the level of said constituent stands in a predetermined relation to said communicating means.

l1. In apparatus of the character described in combination, a rotatably mounted vessel for separating asolid constituent from a liquid mixture, means dividing said vessel into a separating chamber and a liquid discharge chamber, means fixing a radial discharge level in said discharge chamber, means lixing a radial overflow level from said separating chamber, said overliow level being higher than said discharge level, means providing communication between said chambers at a point radially below both ot said levels, a plurality of ioat control valves adapted to permit the discharge of said solid constituent from said separating chamber, when the level of said constituent stands in a predetermined relation to said communicating means, and

a plurality of radial baflies extending inwardly from the peripheral wall of said vessel.

l2. ln apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rotatably mounted separating vessel for separating a solid constituent from a liquid mixture having a cylindrical portion, and a conical portion terminating iii a discharge opening of less diameter than said cylindrical portion, a cir cular portion disposed between said cylindrical and said conical portions and having a central circular opening of lessdiameter than said discharge opening, said partition serving to divide said vessel into separating and discharge chambers, means adjacent the periphery of said partition for providing communication between said chambers, a discharge opening for said constituent disposed at the peripher of said separating chamber,

and afloat va ve disposed within said se arating chamber and slidably seated inl said discharge opening.

13. In apparatus of the character described, in combination. a rotatably mounted separating vessel for separating a solid constituent from a liquid mixture having a cylindrical portion, and a conical portion terminating in a discharge opening of less di ameter than said cylindrical portion, a circular partition disposed between said cylindrical and said conical portions and having a central circular opening of less diameter than said discharge opening, said partition serving to divide said vessel into separating and discharge chambers, means adjacent the outer edge o'f said partition for providing communication between said chambers, and a plurality of float valve controlled openings disposed about the periphery of said separating chamber.

14. In apparatus of the character deof a valve for sai scribed, the combination with a rotatably mounted vessel adapted to separate a solid constituent from a liquid mixture and having a peripherally dis osed discharge opening, openinr.l held `closed by centrifugal action, and buoyant means for opening said valve and having a displacement suiicient to overcome said centrifugal action in response to the achievement of cer- 10 tain conditions in said liquid mixture in said vessel, said buoyant means being immersed in the liquid mixture.

15. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a rotatably -mounted vessel ada ted to separate a solid constituent from a iquid mixture and having a ripherally disposed discharge opening, o a slide valve adapted to control the discharge of said constituent through said zo opening, and means connected to said valve having a weight sufficient to cause the centrifugal force to assist in holding said valve closed but insuiiicient in Weight to prevent said means from being buoyed in a direction toward the axis of rotation of said vessel upon the achievement of certain conditions in the liquid in said vessel, said means being immersed in the liquid.

. 16. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a rotatably mounted vessel ada ted to separate a solid constituent from a liquid mixture and having a plurality ofperipherally disposed discharge openings, and a plurality of float valves adapted to control said openings, each of said float valves having a weight suilicient to cause centrifugal force to keep said valves in closing position but insufficient in Weight to prevent certain conditions in the liquid in said rotating vessel fr om moving said valves into opened position, the float portions of said valve being immersed in the liquid.

17. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a rotatably mounted vessel adapted to separate a solid constituent from a liquid mixture and having a plurality of peripherally disposed discharge openings, of a lurality of float actuated slide valves adapted to control the discharge of 5o said constituent through said openings, the' float portions of saidl valves being immersed in the liquid.

18. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a rotatably mounted vessel adapted to separate a solid constituent from a liquid mixture and having a erinherall disposed discharge opening, o 'a float valyve actuated by centrifugal action to close said opening, and having such a mass and volume as Will cause changes in the condition of said liquid mixture to buoy said float valve against the force of said centrifugal action, the iloat portions of said valves being immersed in the liquid.

19. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a rotatably mounted vessel adapted to separate a solid constituent from a liquid mixture and, having a plurality of pertphei'allv disposed discharge openings, of. a plurality of float valves actuated by centrifugal action to close said openings, and having such a mass and volume as will cause changes in the condition of said liquid mixture to buoy said float valve against the force of said centrifugal action, the float portions of said valves being immersed in the li uid.

20. apparatus of the character described, the combination with a rotatably mounted vessel adapted to separate a solid constituent from a liquid mixture and having a peri herally disposed discharge opening, of a oat valve actuated by centrifugal action to close said opening, and means whereby the separation of said constituent beyond a predetermined point causes a rise in the radial level of said mixture within said vessel and the opening of said discharge valve, the float portions of said valves being immersed in the liquid.

v 21. In ap aratus for separating a solid constituent fiom a liquid mixture, in combination, a rotative vessel having a journal and a dischargeopening disposed in axial alignment, a housing enclosing said vessel and providing a bearing for said journal,

and a movable closure for an end of said housing comprising a discharge `chamber having an apertured insidewall disposed in operative relation to said discharge opening, an outer wall, and inlet means supported by said outer wall and extending into the interior of said vessel through said discharge opening.

22. In ap aratus for separating a solid constituent fiom a liquid mixture, 1n combination, a rotative vessel having a journal and a dischar e opening disposed inaxial alignment, a ousmg enclosing said vessel and providin a bearing for said ourna1, and a inged c osure for an end o said housing comprising a apertured inside wall disposed in operative relation to said discharge opening, an outer Wall, and inlet means supported in said outer wall and comprising a funnel exteriorly thereof, and a conduit connecting said funnel with the interior of said vessel through said discharge opening.

23. In apparatus for separating solids from a liquid, in combination, a rotatably mounted vessel having a discharge openin and adapted to receive a mixture of a liquid and solid material, a valve controlling said discharge opening, anda float immersed in the liquid for controlling said valve, said float being rotatable with said vessel and coacting under the effect of centrifugal force thereon to close said valve but adapted upon the attainment of predetermined conditions in said mixture top be buoyed by the latter suliciently discharge chamber having an to overcome said centrifugal force and efect an opening of said valve.

24. In apparatus for separating solids from a liquid, in combination, a rotatably mounted vessel having a discharge opening and adapted to receive a mixture of a liquid and solid material, a valve controlling said discharge opening, and means for control-l ling said valve, said controlling means including'a body immersed in the liquid connected to said valve having its Weight so pr0- portioned with respect to its volume and its Weight so proportioned with respect to the speed of rotation of said vessel that the buoyant effect of the liquid in said vessel upon said body is sufcientto overcome centrifugal force upon said body and cause a movement of the latter in a direction toward the axis of rotation of said vessel upon the attainment of certain conditions in said mixture, thereby to open said valve.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 27th day of May, 1929.

FRANCISCO A. QUIROZ. 

